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Robert De Niro, Michael Jordan, Bill and Melinda Gates, Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert Redford, Bruce Springsteen and Lorne Michaels headline a star-studded list of honorees who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor, the White House announced Wednesday.

"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor - it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better," President Obama said in a release. "From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way."